Class Update

TEACHING ENGLISH AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE: THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25th
This is primarily a lecture/theory course, and although the professor asks questions, students don't seem to be required to participate (at least not from what I've observed in most classes). Moving on, Dr. Roters was discussing a language method that at one point was very common and was also very similar to what Pavlov did with his hound. She was explaining why this didn't work and how it created automated responses and that the speakers weren't able to produce the language for themselves, only respond to a preconditioned stimulus. Anyway, this is the example she gave:

Dr. Roters: "Now one reason this theory doesn't work is because the language learner isn't able to answer spontaneous questions. Maybe some of you," (there are about fifty people in this class), "have traveled or studied abroad in the United States, and if you have you've surely been to a grocery store. Of course you expect to stand in line, show them your things and then they'll tell you the amount, but what else do they ask?" No one says anything, we sit there, we wait and then she continues, "They ask 'debit or credit'. Now who can tell me the difference between debit or credit." Again, no one says anything... but I know this one :) .

Me: "Debit is money you have in your checking account and credit is money you don't have."

Dr. Roters: "Exactly, and if you ever purchase anything, nearly anything, in the United States you'll be asked this question." She pauses and looks at me sitting in the very back next to the two guys reading a magazine and then continues to say, "And I can tell by your accent that you've spent some time abroad. How long were in you in the United States?"

And I, with a very straight face reply: "Oh about twenty years."

It was at this point forty-nine faces turned to look and laugh as Dr. Roters face flushed.

Dr. Roters: "Oh, I'm so sorry! I should have known."

The next two minutes consisted of, "Oh, we have an American in class... let's all point and ask questions about American Pie and other U.S. teen movies that must be factual!"

Sometimes being an American is like being the bearded lady at a carnival. No one really wants to pay to see it, because it's just not that interesting, but if happens by you... you may as well get your kicks in.


IDEALISMUS UND EMPIRISMUS: DIENSTAG, 30 OKTOBER
I spent the an entire ninety-minute class period writing a single page on what I assume were the logical connections made by Hegel in his philosophical progression from logic (Logik) to nature (Natur), and finally nature to spirit (Geist)... in German. I had a German student read it after I was through, she said there were a lot of mistakes in it, but also that it was understandable. This was a vast improvement from the week before where my greatest classroom accomplishment included sleeping upright.

Today a Picture, Tomorrow a Post

Classes... eins, zwei,... zehn? Wie ungefähr acht?

Classes I'm taking to learn more German:
*Grammatik (Grammar)
*Deutsch für Studium und Alltag (German for Studying and Everyday Life)
*Ausspracheschulung (Pronunciation)
*Konversation (Conversation)

Classes I'm taking in German:
*Idealismus und Empirismus (Idealism and Imperialism)

Graduate Courses I'm taking in English:
*Post Human Bodies: Men, Women and Machines in Literature, Film and Music Video (This course is a cross between English and philosophy, needless to say, I love it.)
*The World's Eye: Ralph Waldo Emerson (This course, as far as I can tell, deals with Transcendentalism, Kant's influence on Emerson, and Emerson's influence on American thought and culture.... Emerson was said to have written our "Intellectual Declaration of Independence.")

Additional Courses:
* Teaching English as a Second/Foreign Language (Focusing on theory and method primarily while incorporating a few historical perspectives to see exactly how politics have influenced how we teach.)

Courses I was going to take but dropped for one reason or another:
*Cross Cultural Voices: German & American Literature (I was less than impressed by the sub-par grad student who, from what I could see, was using the class as supplemental research for her dissertation.)
*Honors Seminar: Translating the Poetry of June Jordan (I guess this is an invitation only course, and having been invited I'm a little upset with myself for turning it down. On the other hand, I don't know if I'm ready to translate poetry [actually I know I'm not] and by not taking it, it keeps my Wednesday evenings free.)

... more on this later (I have to go get my laundry)...

Crackers and Cigarettes

October 23rd 7:45 a.m. - Dortmund, Germany

I'm awake. I don't have class until noon, and I didn't go to bed until four.

Why? So I can buy a roast... so later tonight... my friends won't have to eat deep fat fried schnitzel sh*t or some other unidentified swine product.

Why? Because some part of me must really care about these people if I'm waking up this early (I'd rather go to the dentist than wake up early). After all, it was suggested last night by a chain smoking non-food eating friend of mine that I should just say screw it. He said, "If I had to get up that early to go pick up a roast for dinner I'd sleep in and just serve crackers and cigarettes."

So I lost my purse...

To make a long story short...

David was in Scotland for a week.
I missed David.
I unexpectedly met him at the train station.
I got excited.
I left my purse on the train.
I got my purse back.
The end.

Luckily, some kind wonderful soul took my purse (with my drivers license, school ID, insurance card, two visa bank cards, my German bank card, and library card... which believe it or not has been vital to my survival here...) and brought it to the train station's lost and found office. I was shocked. Amazed. Dumbfounded. Astonished. Flabbergasted.

Anyway, having decided that today was my lucky day I decided to celebrate with a nice stiff glass of... water. (Hi Mom.)


Like the good people on NETV alway say, "Fun's not hard with a library card!"

Please Send Slippers?

Apparently, my flat-mates find it very odd that I don't wear house shoes/slippers when I'm at home.



But I'll be damned...

Thank You IKEA

BIG NEWS: Today, October 9th 2007, I unpacked and put away the rest of my clothes.

I also got Harold a girlfriend, a Hedera Helix (commonly the English Ivy), whom I have named Maude. I also got a castanospermum australe sapling (Australian chestnut). Right now it's about sixteen inches tall but I guess it will eventually be about 18 meters (59 feet) tall and produce poisonous fruit. Gwendolyn went with me and we decided that Finnius was a good name for it seeing as it was the 86th most popular boys name in Australia in 2005. On an unequally exciting note, I also picked up a lamp, some hangers, a window shade, an extra duvet, and tweezers. I know, it's exciting stuff living abroad... try to contain yourself.

Speaking of containing yourself, I spoke with my mother today... for those few of you who haven't met Deb...


This is us... and I miss her....


... and yes Sam... my mother has children of the corn eyes...